Cusi’s PDP-Laban faction inks partnership with Greco Belgica’s PDDS party

The faction of ruling party PDP-Laban led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi has forged an alliance with Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS), a national party founded by Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission chairman Greco Belgica.

Under the agreement signed on September 23, 2021, both parties have agreed to enter an alliance to pursue the continuity of "good governance, principled leadership personified by President Rodrigo Duterte and to help aid and assist each other for victory" in the upcoming Eleksyon 2022.

In an online press briefing with reporters, PDP-Laban secretary general Melvin Matibag disclosed that their alliance stemmed from the Cusi faction's nomination of Belgica as senator.

"Alam naman natin noong Sept. 8, in-announce namin si Belgica mapapabilang na candidate ng PDP-Laban.  Minarapat namin na magkaroon ng alliance with PDDS," said Matibag.

(We nominated Belgica as one of our candidates. We decided to have an alliance with his party.)

The PDP-Laban has also nominated the following officials as its senatorial candidates: Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Leyte Congresswoman Lucy Torres-Gomez, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Public Works and Highways Mark Villar, and Sagip party-list representative Rodante Marcoleta.

In response to his nomination, Belgica said he will leave it up to the President's decision whether he will run for senator or continue his duties as PACC chairman.

"Kung saan ako makakatulong sa adbokasiya, nandoon po ako. [Wherever I can help the advocacy, I will be there.] Although we will not skirt the challenge, I will wait for the final decision of the President. If he says, 'Greco, you  run' then I'll run. 'Greco, you continue to fight,' that's what I'll do po," he said in another press conference.

Meanwhile, Matibag said both their parties are also pushing for federalism, which he said will "strengthen chances" of winning next year's polls.

Matibag said they are also eyeing to forge alliances with local parties that align with the principles of PDP-Laban.

Still waiting for Go's decision

The Cusi-led wing is also waiting for Senator Bong Go to accept its nomination for him to run as standard bearer in 2022, Matibag said.

Go, Duterte's long-time aide, has refused to accept his party's nomination.

Matibag said the Go-Duterte tandem is a "logical and popular choice" for 2022 polls.

Earlier, Duterte formally accepted PDP-Laban Cusi faction's nomination of him as its vice presidential candidate for 2022. 

With this, Matibag said they hope it will help Go decide on accepting the presidential bid.

"We are still waiting for him [Go]to accept our nomination but sana yung action ni Presidente to accept the nomination ng PDP-Laban, sana will help Senator Bong Go to decide on the matter nang mas mabilis," he said.

(We hope that he will decide on the matter quickly after Duterte accepts his nomination.)

Matibag also said they have no "Plan B" in case Go still declines, adding that they will wait for Go's final decision.

"It will not be fair for Senator Go kung hinihintay namin siya mag-desisyon tapos mayroon pala kaming iniisip at pinaplano na ipapalit sa kanya [It would not be fair to Senator Go if we wait for him to decide but then already have plans to replace him]," said Matibag. — BM, GMA News